Social impact

Principal business tool

• From executive information systems (EIS) to transaction processing systems(TPS), more time is being spent in front of a computer.
• Portable computers are being used by executives- and effectively extend the time a person can "do work". - At what social cost ?
• More and more employers expect people that are hired to be able to use their software.
• Existing employees are being required (forced?) to learn new technologies.

Addictive tool

• The computer will respond to all user inputs, so can become very engrossing. For example, creating a "Computer widow!"

Efficiencies

• Centralised data bases allow fewer data entry points and better product tracking reducing jobs and paper work!.

Teleworking

Advantages

• No longer are users 'desk-bound
• increases productivity
• improves lifestyle
• reduces pollution & traffic congestion
• helps develop remote regions

Disadvantages

• Undermines traditional corporate hierarchies based on Management control
• requires changes to performance monitoring and evaluation
• Potential for exploitation
• Requires self discipline
• Network Security

Working at Microsoft

Hard yakka for aging Microserfs

FRAMINGHAM - John Neilson (33) General manager of the organisation customer unit, arrives at his Microsoft office at about 5am and typically works until 8pm. He used to go in on the weekends, but with one daughter and his wife expecting twins he has had an integrated services digital network (ISDN) line from his home to Microsoft's corporate network backbone. Now he wakes at 4 to 5am on weekends and works until 9am and then unwinds with the family.

Stephen McClellan, an analyst at Merrill Lynch Global Securities, says the Microsoft model is a flat, open culture where people work on exciting projects. "It tends to be pretty voluntary. The toughest challenge is the one you give yourself".

Yet Bill Gates says he also pays attention to the burnout issue. "We're careful if someone is working at a pace that's not sustainable to try to definitely get them to avoid that because we're here for the long term. Most people here do have families, and yet they love their jobs, so they're always balancing their jobs in an effective way. The tools like laptops and off-line email, actually do have an impact."

(Weinberg, Johnston 1995)

Human vs machine

"Although I have several bank accounts I now rarely, if ever go inside a bank. I prefer to access the bank's computer directly from home by telephone to find out my bank account balance and initiate transactions. When I visit the supermarket, I select my purchases without human help and my travel through the checkout is expedited by the speed and accuracy of the bar code reader and the computer system. Most of my letters are written on a PC and sent by fax - thus avoiding the slow, costly and error-prone human mail service."

- Malcolm Bailey, Auckland
(Bailey,M 1996, Jul)

Contract work

People are being employed - as long as they are needed - "Employed for life" concept rapidly disappearing.

Reduced employment

• as "machines" replace work.
• fewer low skill jobs - growing unemployment..?

For example

• dangerous jobs are now being done by robots (eg. Bomb defusing, timber mill jobs)
• tedious jobs are being done by machines (eg. Quality control of tinned foods)

New skills required

• most employees now require a level of computer literacy.

On-line technologies (such as Internet)

• enabling buyers to "shop around for the best deal" on a global scale. Will this spell the demise of the middle person - the real estate agent or insurance broker ?

A higher level of computer competency

Job descriptions will be modified by computerisation

Computers will replace people and jobs

Downskilling

As computers become more "intelligent", humans need fewer "skills" to solve problems.

Large amounts of money transferred electronically

Faith in IT.

• When was the last time you checked your bank statement, or supermarket till docket. ?

Electronic data Interchange (EDI)

• Ordering of goods electronically.

Interactive voice response.

• Managing your accounts (eg. paying bills) via a telephone/computer system.

Banking

• Reduced demand for tellers
• More flexible hours of access (eg. 24-hour customer access to accounts)
• Less use of paper money
• Easier and quicker credit checks
• Introduction of the electronic wallet

Stocks and shares

• Sharemarket trading now done electronically. The old days of the trading floor well gone.

Large crimes easily committed on finance "Opportunity" crime. Workers are placed in positions where committing a crime is easy. "Malicious crimes" writing virus. with the introduction of cash cards - and its similarity to cash - comes the ability to "lose" someones card out of spite. Law enforcement. Police have better database access/ file matching For example AFIS (Automatic fingerprint identification system). Information more available for lawful AND unlawful purposes For example. False claims in the NZ Insurance industry cost over $50 million. (1997). A database recording all claims is being set up to records the more than 800,000 claims per year and will be able to ensure clients cannot use the same set of receipts for the same claim in different insurance companies. ((Malcolm, A 1997,Aug) Software theft (piracy) making software authoring unprofitable. Counterfeiting Counterfeiters and forgers can use PC's and printers (especially high quality colour lasers) to produce sophisticated looking documents

• Ethics and professionalism

Involves those PROCEDURES necessary to ensure the right to privacy is enforced and is enforceable.

Copyright

• is more difficult to protect
• Data may be duplicated in many places easily

Sensorship

• is more difficult

Duplication

• Large amounts of data stored in a small space.

Integrity

• One change can affect large amounts of data

Accessibility

• Ability to cross match data.
• Dependence on encryption codes to prevent unauthorised access.
• Refer movie "Sneakers" - based round the ultimate code (encryption) breaker.

Surveillance

• Surveillance cameras acting as a deterrent

Insurance

• against data loss or corruption

• Ethics and professionalism

Privacy is the expectation that people have about the storage and use of personal information.

• Large databases easily copied/sold.
• Consent required when data is being collected.
• Peoples privacy is more easily invaded
• Information can be put to purposes other than those for which it was gathered

Banks can track your movements via your credit card transactions - used in some police cases.

private eMail may be read by the system supervisor.

Requirement for a mediator (Privacy Commissioner) to resolve disputes.

The need to remain computer competent

• Hardware is changing at an ever increasing rate, but essential features have remained unchanged. Hence your knowledge should focus on these basic concepts

The cost of keeping current

• for education will be at the expense of other activities. Will the student be disadvantaged in other areas

The cost of computer equipment for the student

• A computer is becoming one of the tools a student uses to complete projects etc., and computer equipment costs!
• Will a student be disadvantaged if they do not have a computer ?

Preparing projects from a CD-ROM database.

• Will students without be disadvantaged.

Copying from a database

• will any "learning take place?

With "expert" software - teaches

• will the concept of a tutor change ? (Will I still exist!!)

New ways for correspondence education

• via modems.
• Foreign languages learnt from tutors in the foreign country.

New ways for research

• Social studies research may be made by talking to the people affected.
• University research done via internet.

Better education for the disabled

• less reliance on skilled tutors for people with disabilities.

New sources of information available to remain computer competent include;

• The Internet - can you guarantee authenticity or even accuracy ? Vast amounts of knowledge available - and being added to all the time.
• Bulletin Boards
• Online library catalogues
• CD-Rom databases

• Ergonomics

Work related injuries

• Extended periods of repetitive actions causing Occupational Overuse Syndrome and Repetitive Strain Injuries.
• Repetitive work on a computer may lead to health problems, such as eye strain.
• Extensive use of electricity increases the likelyhood of electrical injuries.

VDU emissions

• There is some discussion as to whether the Radiation emitted from VDU's causes damage to the Human Reproductive system.

[Rev: 18/04/01] Jun-97 © 1997-98 V/2-Com (Verhaart), P O Box 8415, Havelock North, New Zealand.